Anyone can make an honest mistake. But sometimes an error can carry a lot more risk than bargained for. Risky things . . . have a way of going wrong. Some mistakes are never okay. Here are five risky driver behaviors that should never occur . . .
Situation 1: Allowing Unauthorized Drivers
It’s never a good idea to let an unauthorized driver behind the wheel of a big rig. It’s a really, really bad idea to let a child drive a tractor trailer. See more here.
Yet many companies do not have a formal policy prohibiting unauthorized drivers. Another bad idea . . .
Situation 2: Backing on the Expressway
This driver made a mistake and missed his exit ramp. He then made a much bigger mistake by backing on the expressway.
Another bad, bad, idea . . .
Situation 3: Making a U-turn on a Highway
Never mind the double-yellow and oncoming traffic . . . They got away with it . . . this time. That’s all that matters, right? Wrong.
One truck was hit while making a U-turn when the truck got stuck in the mud and could not clear traffic, costing the company a $755,000 settlement. Some U-turns gone bad have ended in multi-million dollar lawsuits after costing other drivers their lives.
Situation 4: Texting While Driving
This truck driver was texting, when he sideswiped a car before losing control and crossing over the medium into oncoming traffic, resulting in a fatal crash.
“It just didn’t have to happen. This driver needs to take this all on himself,” said one of the investigators.
Situation 5: Running the Rail Crossing Lights or Gate
This driver is well behind the 15 foot stop line, but then decides to proceed anyway . . .
No harm, no foul . . .
That is, until somebody has to call 911 . . .
The Burden is Always on the Company
These high risk and dangerous driver behaviors occur again and again. Many times a small error was made and the error becomes compounded by taking a shortcut. Nobody likes to admit to making a mistake.
At other times, it is simply bad judgement on part of the driver.
In any case, the company can be called to task
They systematically deposed the truck driver, safety director, dispatcher, and company designated representative and each was asked, under oath, if he/she believed that the truck driver had adequate training. —Attorneys for Plaintiff
Here are some other bad driver behaviors known as “red flag” violations.
| BASIC | FMCSR Part | Violation Description |
|---|---|---|
| Driver Fitness | 383.21 | Operating a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) with more than one driver’s license |
| Driver Fitness |
383.23 |
(a)(2) Operating a CMV without a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL) |
| Driver Fitness | 383.51 | (a) Driving a CMV (CDL) while disqualified |
| Driver Fitness | 383.91 | (a) Operating a CMV with improper CDL group |
| Driver Fitness | 391.11 | Unqualified driver |
| Driver Fitness | 391.11 | (b)(5) Driver lacking valid license for type vehicle being operated |
| Driver Fitness | 391.11 | (b)(7) Driver disqualified from operating CMV |
| Driver Fitness | 391.15 | (a) Driving a CMV while disqualified |
| Drug/Alcohol | 392.4 | (a) Driver uses or is in possession of drugs |
| Drug/Alcohol | 392.5 | (a) Possession/use/under influence of alcohol less than 4 hours prior to duty |
| Fatigued Driving (HOS) | 395.13 | (d) Driving after being declared out-of-service (OOS) |
| Vehicle Maintenance | 396.9 | (c)(2) Operating an OOS vehicle |
Thank you for reading this. Have a safe day.
